WHEREAS, for 20 years, Freddie's Beach Bar has provided a diverse and welcoming safe space for everyone in the LGBT+ community and others as Northern Virginia's only gay bar; and

WHEREAS, Freddie's Beach Bar has served customers of many backgrounds and is famous in the community for its karaoke and bingo nights, award-winning brunch, and drag shows, as well as frequent Pentagon Happy Hours for LGBT+ members of the military; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, Freddie's Beach Bar received the Human Rights Award from the Arlington Human Rights Commission for its work to maintain a safe space for gay military members long before the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy; and

WHEREAS, regulars call Freddie's Beach Bar "the most magical place on earth" because of its reputation as a fun, warm, and joyful safe haven for the LGBT+ community any time of the year; and

WHEREAS, since 2001, and even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Freddie's Beach Bar has kept the restaurant open for an annual holiday meal and toy drive every December; and

WHEREAS, in the early stages of the pandemic, Amazon purchased 10,000 meals from Freddie's Beach Bar to help feed health care workers, first responders, and some of the area's most vulnerable residents; and

WHEREAS, Freddie's Beach Bar supported other local restaurants by enlisting their help to fulfill the Amazon order and instituted other community-oriented projects to invigorate neighboring businesses during the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Freddie's Beach Bar has strengthened and enriched its local community and become a fine example of the diversity and inclusivity of Northern Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Freddie's Beach Bar hereby be commended on the occasion of its 20th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Freddie's Beach Bar for its achievements in creating a safe and welcoming place for members of the LGBT+ community while providing outstanding service to countless other residents and visitors in Northern Virginia.